Saint Ignatius of Loyola

S. Ignatii Confessoris **Saint Ignatius of Loyola**: He was a Spanish Basque Catholic priest and theologian, who co-founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and became its first Superior General.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, born as Iñigo López de Oñaz y Loyola, is a significant figure in the Catholic Church. He was born on October 23, 1491, in Loyola, Castile, Spain, and died on July 31, 1556, in Rome, Italy.

He was a Spanish Basque Catholic priest and theologian who, along with six companions, founded the religious order of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Paris in 1534. Ignatius envisioned the purpose of the Society of Jesus to be missionary work and teaching.

In addition to the vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty of other religious orders in the church, Loyola instituted a fourth vow for Jesuits of obedience to the Pope, to engage in projects ordained by the pontiff. The Jesuits were instrumental in leading the Counter-Reformation.

Ignatius paid particular attention to the spiritual formation of his recruits and recorded his method in the Spiritual Exercises (1548). Over time, this method has become known as Ignatian spirituality. He was beatified in 1609 and was canonized as a saint on March 12, 1622. His feast day is celebrated on July 31.

A Spaniard, born at Loyola in Cantabria, Ignatius first served in the court of the Most Catholic King and then in the army. In the defence of Pampeluna, he was wounded. As he lay in a long convalescence, the chance reading of some holy books gave him a burning desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ and the Saints.

He went to Montserrat, hung up his arms before the Altar of the Blessed Virgin, and spent a whole night in prayer, thus entering on his new profession of holy warfare.

The austerity of his life was extraordinary. He was ignorant of letters but, refreshed by brilliant illuminations from God, he composed the Exercises, a wonderful book approved by the Apostolic See and also by its usefulness to everyone.

At Paris he was joined by nine companions of different nations all studying at the university, and there at Montmartre he laid the first foundations of the Society of Jesus which were later completed at Rome.

To the three customary vows was added one to carry out the command of the Apostolic See concerning the Missions. Ignatius gave aid in increasing the beauty of churches, in teaching catechism, and in fostering attendance at sermons and the reception of the sacraments. He was most zealous for the spread of the Christian religion everywhere, and exercised a wonderful power over demons.

In the sixty-fifth year of his age, he went to receive the embrace of his Lord, whose greater glory he had always sought in all things. Pius XI appointed and declared him the heavenly patron of all spiritual exercises or retreats.

He is the patron saint of the Basque provinces of Gipuzkoa and Biscay as well as of the Society of Jesus. He was declared the patron saint of all spiritual retreats by Pope Pius XI in 1922. He is also venerated in the Anglican Communion.

Ignatius of Loyola's life and works continue to inspire and guide many people around the world in their spiritual journeys. His teachings and the order he founded have had a profound impact on the Catholic Church and beyond.

(1) Ignatius of Loyola - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Loyola. (2) St. Ignatius of Loyola - Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Ignatius-of-Loyola. (3) . https://bing.com/search?q=St.+Ignatius+of+Loyola. (4) St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church. https://www.silcc.org/. (5) Ignatius of Loyola: a saint for difficult times. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258435/ignatius-of-loyola-a-saint-for-difficult-times.